http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/
en-usPeter Kelly-Detwiler - The Perfect CurvePeter Kelly-Detwiler's stories. The Perfect Curve: I cover the energy industry.Copyright 2016 Forbes LLChttp://0.gravatar.com/avatar/08753db5eee853ef2b6b6491628ed733?s=400&#038;d=mm&#038;r=ghttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/12/08/epa-kremlinology-on-the-hudson-is-over-trump-picks-climate-skeptic-pruitt/
Pruitt Can Shred All The EPA Regulations He Likes -- It Won't Help The Energy IndustryDonald Trump has tapped a climate change skeptic to fight the wrong battle at EPA. Jobs will not come back to the coal or natural gas industries as long as fracking keeps getting more efficient and cheaper. The real growth opportunity is in clean energy.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/5849745064aaf96759a0adb3Thu, 8 Dec 2016 10:14:00 -05002016-12-08T10:14:00-05:00Donald Trump has tapped a climate change skeptic to fight the wrong battle at EPA. Jobs will not come back to the coal or natural gas industries as long as fracking keeps getting more efficient and cheaper. The real growth opportunity is in clean energy.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/11/02/high-range-anxiety-nissan-leaf-trip-ma-to-md-shows-limitations-but-ev-improvements-on-the-way/
High (Range) Anxiety: Nissan Leaf Trip MA To MD Shows Limitations, But EV Improvements On The WayOne day, John Briggs decided to drive his 84-mile range Nissan Leaf from Boston to Silver Spring MD. His trip experience highlights challenges still to be addressed for broader adoption of EVs to occur.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/5818bcbf64aaf93de4c27975Wed, 2 Nov 2016 12:40:00 -04002016-11-02T12:40:00-04:00One day, John Briggs decided to drive his 84-mile range Nissan Leaf from Boston to Silver Spring MD. His trip experience highlights challenges still to be addressed for broader adoption of EVs to occur.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/10/20/a-tale-of-two-cities-and-two-conferences-san-diego-and-reykjavik/
A Tale Of Two Cities And Two Conferences: San Diego And ReykjavikTwo conferences in early October couldn't have been more different: one was energy storage; the other about the future of the Arctic Circle. Yet, they are related as we all become Arctic nations.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/580534a164aaf93de4c22819Thu, 20 Oct 2016 08:52:00 -04002016-10-20T08:52:00-04:00Two conferences in early October couldn't have been more different: one was energy storage; the other about the future of the Arctic Circle. Yet, they are related as we all become Arctic nations.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/08/30/bill-mckibben-why-we-need-a-world-war-iii-approach-to-energy-and-climate-change/
Bill McKibben: Why We Need A World War III Approach To Energy And Climate ChangeAuthor and climate activist suggests society needs to address climate change more aggressively as if we are mobilizing for a third world war.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/57c5b18664aaf97fcd6fa9f4Tue, 30 Aug 2016 12:53:00 -04002016-08-30T12:53:00-04:00Author and climate activist suggests society needs to address climate change more aggressively as if we are mobilizing for a third world war.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/08/24/ul-working-to-ensure-used-ev-batteries-safely-re-purposed/
UL Working To Ensure Used EV Batteries Can Be Safely Re-PurposedWithin the decade, we will be seeing large number of used electric vehicle batteries ready for their second life as stationary energy storage. UL wants to ensure they can be used safely, thereby improving the overall market.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/57bca75d64aaf97fcd6f8716Wed, 24 Aug 2016 08:23:00 -04002016-08-24T08:23:00-04:00Within the decade, we will be seeing large number of used electric vehicle batteries ready for their second life as stationary energy storage. UL wants to ensure they can be used safely, thereby improving the overall market.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/07/28/the-morphing-role-of-the-electric-utility-investors-in-the-change-to-come/
The Morphing Role Of The Electric Utility: Investors In The Change To ComeAs the utility landscape begins to perceptibly shift with renewables, storage and new business models, they begin to react in the regulatory arena to protect their turf and revenues. Some of the more aggressive actors also invest in the change that is taking place, both in the renewables projects and in the companies driving change.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/579a306564aaf95fe153940aThu, 28 Jul 2016 12:45:00 -04002016-07-28T12:45:00-04:00As the utility landscape begins to perceptibly shift with renewables, storage and new business models, they begin to react in the regulatory arena to protect their turf and revenues. Some of the more aggressive actors also invest in the change that is taking place, both in the renewables projects and in the companies driving change.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/07/21/mining-bitcoins-is-a-surprisingly-energy-intensive-endeavor/
Mining Bitcoins Is A Surprisingly Energy-Intensive EndeavorWhile the currency itself is ethereal, the miners of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have a voracious and growing appetite for electricity that is driving the creation of advanced data-centers in out of the way places with low-cost power around the globe.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/5790e71264aaf92fb3ebac66Thu, 21 Jul 2016 12:06:00 -04002016-07-21T12:06:00-04:00While the currency itself is ethereal, the miners of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have a voracious and growing appetite for electricity that is driving the creation of advanced data-centers in out of the way places with low-cost power around the globe.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/06/14/the-challenge-of-keeping-the-lights-on-in-new-england-a-conversation-with-iso-nes-ceo/
The Challenge Of Keeping The Lights On In New England: A Conversation With ISO-NE's CEOPlanning for future electricity supply is getting increasingly more difficult. Here's how the CEO of ISO-NE thinks about it.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/575c7f7864aaf93404530ca9Tue, 14 Jun 2016 09:17:00 -04002016-06-14T09:17:00-04:00Planning for future electricity supply is getting increasingly more difficult. Here's how the CEO of ISO-NE thinks about it.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/06/06/one-experts-view-on-the-near-term-future-of-energy-storage/
One Expert's View On The Near-Term Future Of Energy StorageSam Jaffe - an expert in electric energy storage - shares his views on the future of the industry.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/57506d3e64aaf9337ca870fbMon, 6 Jun 2016 10:53:00 -04002016-06-06T10:53:00-04:00Sam Jaffe - an expert in electric energy storage - shares his views on the future of the industry.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/05/17/arpa-e-what-role-should-the-government-play-in-commercializing-new-energy-technologies/
ARPA-E: What Role Should The Government Play In Commercializing New Energy Technologies?ARPA-E just celebrated its seventh birthday. Over that time it has assisted in the launch of dozens of companies, while helping the U.S. maintain its competitive edge in the hotly contested global energy marketplace.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/5739ebb1e4b0902e54d47d33Tue, 17 May 2016 09:38:00 -04002016-05-17T09:38:00-04:00ARPA-E just celebrated its seventh birthday. Over that time it has assisted in the launch of dozens of companies, while helping the U.S. maintain its competitive edge in the hotly contested global energy marketplace.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/05/10/alevo-the-other-energy-storage-giga-factory-begins-to-stir/
Alevo, The Other Energy Storage Gigafactory, Begins To StirIn an enormous former North Carolina tobacco factory, and with the help of a powerful supercomputer, Alevo is gearing up to challenge competitors with an energy storage solution based on a new inorganic, sulfur-based lithium ion battery technology.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/5730d838e4b0e82c5335980aTue, 10 May 2016 07:31:00 -04002016-05-10T07:31:00-04:00In an enormous former North Carolina tobacco factory, and with the help of a powerful supercomputer, Alevo is gearing up to challenge competitors with an energy storage solution based on a new inorganic, sulfur-based lithium ion battery technology.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/05/04/clock-strikes-midnight-on-emergency-generators-and-demand-response/
Clock Strikes Midnight On Emergency Generators And Demand ResponseThe D.C. Court of Appeals ruled against an EPA waiver allowing emergency generation to participate for 100 hours in emergency demand response markets. This may not be the best outcome for most parties.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/572a5b15e4b00967528a809fWed, 4 May 2016 17:02:00 -04002016-05-04T17:02:00-04:00The D.C. Court of Appeals ruled against an EPA waiver allowing emergency generation to participate for 100 hours in emergency demand response markets. This may not be the best outcome for most parties.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/05/02/itrons-idea-labs-innovate-or-risk-being-pushed-aside/
Itron's Idea Labs: Innovate Or Risk Being Pushed AsideItron's IdeaLabs is driven by the conviction that companies must innovate or be swept aside, even if that means disrupting one's own business.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/57261b89e4b00967528a6b75Mon, 2 May 2016 10:16:00 -04002016-05-02T10:16:00-04:00Itron's IdeaLabs is driven by the conviction that companies must innovate or be swept aside, even if that means disrupting one's own business.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/04/27/bc-hydro-combatting-electricity-theft-with-big-data/
How A Big Utility Fought Back Against Marijuana Growers Stealing ElectricityThree years ago I wrote a piece on electricity theft in BC Hydro’s service territory. The utility serves a huge area, equal to the geography of Washington, Oregon, and California combined. At that time theft was a big problem, and growing. The utility estimated that losses had metastasized from 500 [...]Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/571a753ee4b0876fd0e539bfWed, 27 Apr 2016 09:49:00 -04002016-04-27T09:49:00-04:00Three years ago I wrote a piece on electricity theft in BC Hydro’s service territory. The utility serves a huge area, equal to the geography of Washington, Oregon, and California combined. At that time theft was a big problem, and growing. The utility estimated that losses had metastasized from 500 [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/04/13/direct-energy-giving-customers-more-insight-into-their-electricity-bills/
Direct Energy: Giving Customers More Insight Into Their Electricity BillsDirect Energy can now help customers see electricity costs in real time and answer the question "it's 10 PM - how much is your refrigerator costing you?"Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/570e5088e4b0876fd0e4ffd6Wed, 13 Apr 2016 10:38:00 -04002016-04-13T10:38:00-04:00Direct Energy can now help customers see electricity costs in real time and answer the question "it's 10 PM - how much is your refrigerator costing you?"http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/03/28/cree-moving-from-obedient-to-intelligent-commercial-lighting-solutions/
Cree: Moving From 'Obedient' To Intelligent Commercial Lighting SolutionsCree's next iteration of intelligent lighting uses Power over Ethernet technology.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/56f9278fe4b01e849fff00f8Mon, 28 Mar 2016 09:39:00 -04002016-03-28T09:39:00-04:00Cree's next iteration of intelligent lighting uses Power over Ethernet technology.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/03/21/with-super-computing-the-process-of-disruptive-innovation-in-energy-is-likely-to-accelerate/
With Super-Computing, The Process of Disruptive Innovation In Energy Is Likely To AccelerateWe have seen a good deal of disruptive innovation in the energy space in recent years. With the application of more high performance computing in materials science, get ready for an acceleration of this dynamic.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/56ec784de4b063cb9d020bd4Mon, 21 Mar 2016 10:58:00 -04002016-03-21T10:58:00-04:00We have seen a good deal of disruptive innovation in the energy space in recent years. With the application of more high performance computing in materials science, get ready for an acceleration of this dynamic.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/03/11/fuelcell-energy-continues-to-position-itself-for-future-growth/
FuelCell Energy Continues To Position Itself For Future GrowthLast November, FuelCell Energy announced that it was expanding its Torrington, Connecticut factory to double its output capacity, from 100 to 200 megawatts (MW). The company recently offered me an invitation to visit the Torrington facility, so I jumped in my car and took the three-hour drive to see what [...]Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/56e18006e4b063cb9d01dca6Fri, 11 Mar 2016 10:10:00 -05002016-03-11T10:10:00-05:00Last November, FuelCell Energy announced that it was expanding its Torrington, Connecticut factory to double its output capacity, from 100 to 200 megawatts (MW). The company recently offered me an invitation to visit the Torrington facility, so I jumped in my car and took the three-hour drive to see what [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/02/03/sunruns-250-million-in-financing-a-positive-sign-for-distributed-solar/
Sunrun's $250 Million In Financing A Positive Sign For Distributed SolarWith the ITC extension and $250 million in new bank financing, Sunrun's CEO is bullish on solar.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/56b1424de4b09b86923e4430Wed, 3 Feb 2016 09:58:00 -05002016-02-03T09:58:00-05:00With the ITC extension and $250 million in new bank financing, Sunrun's CEO is bullish on solar.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/01/28/imergy-accelerates-deployment-of-flow-batteries-in-global-markets/
Imergy Accelerates Deployment Of Flow Batteries In Global MarketsThe energy storage market continues to heat up. Imergy - by moving offshore and selling in volumes - intends to stake out a strong position.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/56a97142e4b08dc4ac80d3ceThu, 28 Jan 2016 09:58:00 -05002016-01-28T09:58:00-05:00The energy storage market continues to heat up. Imergy - by moving offshore and selling in volumes - intends to stake out a strong position.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/01/27/u-s-wind-industry-posts-huge-gains-for-q4-2015-more-to-come/
U.S. Wind Industry Posts Huge Gains For Q4 2015: More To ComeThe wind industry posted significant gains in the final quarter of 2015 and a sold year overall. With the recent PTC extension, this trend should strengthen in the near future.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/56a91a45e4b08dc4ac80d1e3Wed, 27 Jan 2016 14:44:00 -05002016-01-27T14:44:00-05:00The wind industry posted significant gains in the final quarter of 2015 and a sold year overall. With the recent PTC extension, this trend should strengthen in the near future.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/01/25/scotus-finds-strongly-in-favor-of-demand-response/
Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Demand Response: A Boon To Smart GridThe ruling supports FERC's power to promote reduction of consumption on the consumer side of the meter if it reduces overall wholesale power prices, accelerating the progress towards a more efficient grid.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/56a64f97e4b08dc4ac80c26eMon, 25 Jan 2016 12:11:00 -05002016-01-25T12:11:00-05:00The ruling supports FERC's power to promote reduction of consumption on the consumer side of the meter if it reduces overall wholesale power prices, accelerating the progress towards a more efficient grid.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/01/13/schneider-electric-promising-battery-at-lower-cost-than-tesla/
Schneider Electric Promising Battery At Lower Cost Than TeslaAt $500/kWh delivered, Schneider Electric's EcoBlade enters 2016 as the most cost-effective battery solution, coming from a huge multinational. This could change the landscape dramatically, put cost pressure on the competitors, and truly broaden the market.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/569537e3e4b08dc4ac80443bWed, 13 Jan 2016 08:49:00 -05002016-01-13T08:49:00-05:00At $500/kWh delivered, Schneider Electric's EcoBlade enters 2016 as the most cost-effective battery solution, coming from a huge multinational. This could change the landscape dramatically, put cost pressure on the competitors, and truly broaden the market.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2016/01/11/avista-utilities-preparing-for-the-future-by-trying-to-create-it/
Avista Utilities: Preparing For The Future By Trying To Create ItLike many investor-owned utilities, Avista Utilities faces a challenging future full of new technologies and evolving business models. They are proactively working to shape the evolving dynamic.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/568d7a66e4b08dc4ac80167bMon, 11 Jan 2016 08:54:00 -05002016-01-11T08:54:00-05:00Like many investor-owned utilities, Avista Utilities faces a challenging future full of new technologies and evolving business models. They are proactively working to shape the evolving dynamic.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2015/12/14/lithium-ion-is-not-the-only-battery-game-in-town-eos-and-convergent-nab-ten-megawatts-in-pge-award/
Lithium-Ion Is Not The Only Battery Game In Town: Eos And Convergent Nab Ten Megawatts In PGE AwardPGE's 10 megawatt storage award to Convegent/Eos signals that other battery chemistries are also in the hunt. There's more to energy storage than lithium-ion.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/566ae2c9e4b03572b500e2d2Mon, 14 Dec 2015 10:19:00 -05002015-12-14T10:19:00-05:00PGE's 10 megawatt storage award to Convegent/Eos signals that other battery chemistries are also in the hunt. There's more to energy storage than lithium-ion.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2015/12/07/geli-bringing-smarts-to-the-smart-grid/
GELI - Bringing Smarts To The Smart GridIn an electricity world where all devices are connected and 'talk' to each to optimize performance, Geli intends to be the central nervous system.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/5660802ee4b0875cdd53dd84Mon, 7 Dec 2015 09:34:00 -05002015-12-07T09:34:00-05:00In an electricity world where all devices are connected and 'talk' to each to optimize performance, Geli intends to be the central nervous system.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2015/11/23/while-some-larger-solar-companies-take-a-pounding-a-smaller-one-forges-ahead-with-an-acquisition/
While Some Larger Solar Companies Take A Pounding, A Smaller One Forges Ahead With An AcquisitionUGE International is acquiring Endura to strengthen its position in the competitive solar industry.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/5650876be4b0f08a2dcd2937Mon, 23 Nov 2015 13:55:00 -05002015-11-23T13:55:00-05:00UGE International is acquiring Endura to strengthen its position in the competitive solar industry.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2015/11/23/1366-technologies-aims-to-slash-solar-wafer-costs-50-and-make-solar-cheaper-than-coal/
1366 Technologies Aims To Slash Solar Wafer Costs 50% And Make Solar Cheaper Than Coal1366 aims to cut the cost of solar wafers by 50% - and help make solar energy cheaper than coal - through a completely new way of making wafers. It's a cut-throat market, but they bring a brand new methodology to the game.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/564e694ee4b0f08a2dcd21a4Mon, 23 Nov 2015 09:09:00 -05002015-11-23T09:09:00-05:001366 aims to cut the cost of solar wafers by 50% - and help make solar energy cheaper than coal - through a completely new way of making wafers. It's a cut-throat market, but they bring a brand new methodology to the game.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2015/11/12/aes-energy-storage-very-soon-utility-scale-storage-will-always-be-on-the-resource-menu/
AES Energy Storage: Very Soon, Utility-Scale Storage Will Always Be On The Resource MenuWith over 350 MW of storage projects either installed, under construction, or in the late stages of development, AES Energy Storage is demonstrating that grid-scale battery storage is ready for prime time.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/5642139be4b0718d30fc5318Thu, 12 Nov 2015 08:48:00 -05002015-11-12T08:48:00-05:00With over 350 MW of storage projects either installed, under construction, or in the late stages of development, AES Energy Storage is demonstrating that grid-scale battery storage is ready for prime time.http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2015/11/11/sunverge-is-on-a-mission-to-marry-solar-power-and-energy-storage/
Sunverge Is On A Mission To Marry Solar Power And Energy StorageSunverge is one of the first companies to take on the challenge of integrating residential solar with storage systems. Its model is to create a distributed system that the utility can dispatch.Peter Kelly-Detwiler, ContributorPeter Kelly-Detwiler, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/56411891e4b0718d30fc4fc2Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:37:00 -05002015-11-11T09:37:00-05:00Sunverge is one of the first companies to take on the challenge of integrating residential solar with storage systems. Its model is to create a distributed system that the utility can dispatch.